Picture album



Sept. 2, 1958 c. ORTIS ETAL PICTURE ALBUM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1953 a v 7 6 g Sept. 2, 1958 c. ORTlS ETAL 2,850,294

PICTURE ALBUM Filed March 6. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 2, 1958 a. ORTlS ETAL 2,850,294

PICTURE ALBUM Filed March 6, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United. States PICTURE ALBUM Application hlarch 6, 1953, Serial No. 340,802

3 Claims. (Cl. 281--31) This invention relates -to picture and photograph albums and more particularly to improvements in storage pages and means for removably binding the same within the album.

Heretofore picture and photograph albums have consisted of two general types. One type comprised the conventional permanent or bound volume affording a listed number of pages upon which photographs could be mounted; and the other was the loose-leaf type in which the number of pages could be varied by means of binding posts, rings or similar mechanical devices.

Of the two types the latter was generally considered the more desirable, but the disadvantages were numerous and obvious. The inconvenience attendant .upon the dismantling of the album to insert or remove individual pages in the binding post type; and the tendency of ringbound pages to tear and the ring holes to fray, etc; has to a large extent discouraged more general acceptance of photograph albums.

Recognizing the disadvantages of albums in general and the need for improved albums, attempts to remedy the situation have been made in recent years. However, even 'mese improved albums failed to overcome the most undesirable of the disadvantages mentioned hereinabove; namely the necessity for at least partially dismantling the album in order to insert or remove a picture storage sheet.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a picture and photograph album which will overcome all of the disadvantages set forth hereinabove.

Another object is to afford an album in which one or more of the pages may be either removed or inserted without necessitating the dismantling of the covers.

A further object is to provide a novel storage-page retaining-member which securely and readily binds the edges of the pages within the album, but from which the pages may be as readily removed.

Yet another object is to afford an album in which the picture-storage-pages are provided with flexible portions so positioned that each page may bend around consecutively longer radii in the same manner as the pages of an ordinary book. Consequently each page complements the bend of the adjacent pages without crowding and in the most natural sequence, regardless of the number of pages and the point at which the album may be opened.

Yet a further object is to provide an album with removable picture-storage-pages in which the mechanical elements are unexposed, thereby presenting a most attractive picture storage and displaying means.

Still another object is to afford an album in which a removable picture frame is associated with the front cover; whereby pictures or photographs displayed therein may be utilized as a means for identifying the general subject matter of the album contents.

Still a further object is to provide a picture album which when displayed on a supporting easel, the width areas of which need not exceed the width of the album, is self-supporting even when the album-is fully opened and in use.

And yet a further object is to afford a photograph album of sturdy eflicient construction yet truly artistic and unusually attractive in appearance.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of our invention, we have illustrated in the accompanying rawings preferred embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, our invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a picture album embodying the principles of our invention with the album illustrated in upright position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with a portion of the front cover broken away to illustrate in section a detail of construction;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of one of the picturepocket pages of the album;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of such page as taken on the plane of line 4--l in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded view in perspective of the album illustrating in detail the various elements comprising the binding, spine and novel page-retaining member;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the central spine member as viewed from the back thereof;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 7-7 in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings and viewed in the direction indicated;

Fig. 8 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 8-8 in Fig. 7 of the drawings and viewed in the direction indicated;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View partially in perspective and partially in section illustrating certain details of construction of the page-retaining member.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, reference numeral 20 indicates generally a photograph album comprising a front cover 22 and a back cover 24 joined together by a binding 25. Removably bound between the covers 22 and 24 may be a plurality of picturestorage-pages 28, the construction of which will be disclosed as the description proceeds.

Turning now to a more detailed consideration of the construction of the binding 26, attention is directed to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. The principal member of the binding comprises a hinged inner spine 30 composed of three strip elements 32, 34 and 36. The central element 34 is slightly curved about a longitudinal axis and is joined to the adjacent edges of the side strips 32 and 36 by means of integrally formed hinges 38 and 40.

Both the top and bottom edges of the central element 34 have a channel-shaped strip such as 37 and 39 aflixed thereto as by welding one leg 42 of this strip to the back of the central strip 34 as at 41. The strips 37 and 39 thereby afford inwardlyprotruding, horizontally-disposed segmentsmsuchaas 43, a top depending ,flange 44 anda bottom upstanding flange 46 spaced from the element 34, and tongues such as 48 protruding outwardly one from achbide oitheflanges 44,,and 46. The functions of- 1658, toptand-gbottomchannel strips 37and 39xand the tongues 48 will be disclosed as the description proceeds. The ceutralstripM-eis further formed, with a plurality of transverse slots such as 50 spaced'one; from the otheras illustrated in Fig. 5.01? the drawings.

A pair of'seriesgof vertically aligned openings such as 52. maybe formed, oneseries. in each of the side strips 32, and,36, The openings. are positioned in longitudinal spaced relationship one with the otherrin each series.

The, above-mentioned openings 52 are designedto co.- operatewith similar openings such as 54 formed in similar longitudinal series, one, near each edge of a pair of stiff inner cover members 56 and 58. Through each of these aligned openings 52-54, a fastening device such as a brad, rivet or the like (not shown) may be inserted, therebyassembling these inner covers to the central spine 30. These inner coversmay then be adhered. or fastened in any convenient manner to the insidefacessof the outer covers 122 and 24; thereby assemblingthe covers with the spine Attention is now directed to the actual composition of the bindings, particularly the covers 22 and 24. It will be notedthatboth theback and front covers 22 and 24 are composed of stiffener members 60 and 62 respectively. Thesestiffener members may be formed from any conventional, binding stiffener material, such as pulp compositions (carboard, pressed board, etc.) or less'conventional materials, such as wood, metal, plastic and the like. The outer binding material 64 may likewise be selected from the more conventional binding materials, such as buckram, textiles (linen, etc), leather and the like, but we prefer to use velvet cloth. In applying the outer binding 64, the velvet is stretched to cover completely the outer surface of the stiffener members 68 and 62, and the edges such as 66 an 68 may then be bent over the outer edges of the stiffener members and adhered thereto. The. inner covers 56 and 58 in turn cover the outer binding edges 66 and, 68.

To complete the binding, especialy the back thereof, an outer spine member 70 may be utilized. This spine member 70 may comprise a strip of metal 72 arcuately bent and of sufficient size to exactly cover the back of thecentral strip 34 of the inner spine30. A plurality of L-shaped tongues such as:74 composed of a short vertical leg 76 and a longerhorizontally disposed leg 78 may be afiixed as byspot welding at 80 to the inner surface of, the ,backspine 78. These tongues 74 are aligned vertically and spaced one from the other so that the horizontallegs 78 may be inserted within the slots 58 formed in the inner spine; 30. The ends of said legs 78 may then bebentoverzat anqangle of substantially 90 degrees, whereby the outer back spine member 78 is assembledlwith the other binding members.

Obviously, before. asembling the back spine 70, the metalstrip .72 is first covered with a strip of velvet or other binding material 82, matching the outer covering ofthe covers, in-a manner similar to'that of the covers 22 and 24. In like manner the edges such as 84 may be bentover and adhered to the inside surface of the strip 72. This then completes the description of the outer covers and binding with the exception of certain details of construction of the front cover which will now be described.

Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings disclose a removable picture frame 86 positioned and retained within the front cover 22. This picture frame 86 may be of any conventional type,as for example, one assembled with a decorative molding 88 which provides an outwardly protruding flange-like portion 90. The balance of the frame may comprise the usual glass panel 92 covering a'picture displayed in the area defined by the molding 88 and a back '55 94. Ifdesired an easel support (not shown) may be affixed to the back 94.

To accommodate the picture frame 86, the front cover 22 may be formed with a recessed area 96 defined by walls such as 98, the dimensions-of which are only slightiy larger than those ofthepicture frame 86. Consequently, a friction-fitting is afiorded between the picture frame and the walls98; The friction fitting is most effective when a long nap material such as velvet is utilized the outerccvering material. When positioned'within the recess )6, only the. flange portion protrudes, .but actually blends with the cover and forms a part of the design.v

Attention is now invited to the picture-storage-pages the construction of which is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 8 of the drawings. Each of these pages comprises a central sheet 1% which may be made of pressed board orthe like, This central sheet 100 has its inner marginal edge portion retained between the outer ends 118-2 and 184 of a mounting tape 1%. This mounting tape 196 may comprise a fold of flexible but tough material, such as plastic, adhesive binding tape or the like, extending along the entire length of the page 28. Both sides of the fold may be adhered together as at 108 with the exception of the outer ends 102 and 104, which are instead adhered one to each side of the central sheet 100,

and the apex of the fold which is left open to. provide. a cylindrical portion 110 containing a tubular passageway 112. Within this tubular passageway 112 may be positioned in either removable or fixed relationship, a retaining element 114 comprising a wire, string, rod or similar device; the function of which will be disclosed as the description unfolds.

Completing the storage page 28 may be a pair of may be left open to provide ingress means such as 134 through which the pictures. or photographs may be inserted into the pockets.

We arrive now at the point in our description wherein we are about to describe a member which is believed to embody the very crux of the invention, This member is the element 132 which binds or retains the picture storage pages 28 within the album, but in removable relation-.

ship. Essentially the basic embodiment of the picturepageVretaining-element, as best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8 of the drawings, comprises a sheet of material-preferably metal, although other materials such as plastic, wood, rubber and the like may be usedwhich has been bent or otherwise formed to afford a plurality of grooves such as 134 with restricted passageways such as 136, by means of which the enlarged grooves may communicate to the outside. The grooves and passageways are parallelly positioned in spaced relationship one with the other. These grooves and passageways are thus defined by a series of serpentine curves such as 138 and the curve 138 being of lesser radius than that of the curve 140. The larger radii curves 140 encompass the-enlarged grooves 134, while the restricted passageways 136 are positioned at the point where the curvature of the larger curves 140 is reversed toform the smaller curves 138;

the passageways 136 being'defined by two adjacent such therethrough of the cylindrical portion 110 when the retaining element 114 is positioned therein. Hence, if the page 28 is positioned with its top or bottom end adjacent either end of the element 132 and with the adhered tape portion 108 aligned with the restricted passageway 136 and the cylindrical portion 110 aligned with the enlarged groove 134; the page may be inserted into the retaining element 132 by merely pushing it into the element (the groove 134 being of sufiicient size to accommodate therein the wire-containing, cylindrical portion 110). To remove the page, the retaining element 114 is removed and the page then pulled away from the member 132, or the page 28 is merely slid out of the end of the member 132 in the same manner that it was inserted therein. It should be noted that the width of the flexible tape adhered portion 108 is sufficient to permit ready turning of the pages 28.

To assemble the retaining member 132 into the cover assembly, the top end of the member 132 may be inserted in the space between the flange 44 and the strip 34, and the bottom end in space defined by the upstanding flange 46 and the strip 34. The tongues 48 are then bent over the sides thereby locking the retaining member in operative position. Obviously the material comprising the tongues 48 must possess the properties of both strength and pliability to permit bending. Metals such as brass or aluminum have proved to be quite satisfactory. As a matter of fact, the entire spine 30 may be made from such metals.

It is believed that our invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation Within the purview of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a picture album of the character described, comprising a binding, including a front and back cover, a plurality of picture-pocket-pages removably bound with-- in said binding and a page retaining element removably mounted Within said binding; a removable picture frame mounted in said front cover, said picture frame forming a part of the design of said front cover, said front cover formed with a recessed area defined by side walls, said picture frame formed with a decorative molding flange and a picture displaying area, said latter-mentioned area defined by side walls, the side Walls of said recessed area adapted to cooperate with the side walls of the pictureframe displaying area to frictionally retain said picture frame within said cover.

2. The picture album of claim 1 in which said decorative molding flange extends laterally beyond the marginal edges of said recessed area whereby to encircle the same.

3. The picture album of claim 1 in which at least the side walls of said recessed area are covered with a long nap material capable of being compressed suificiently to admit therein said removable picture frame in tight fitting frictional relationship whereby to better retain said pic ture frame in said cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 227,715 Bailey May 18, 1880 321,164 West June 30, 1885 437,837 Promis Oct. 7, 1890 1,135,088 Weinstein Apr. 13, 1915 1,272,963 Johnson July 16, 1918 1,469,573 Aberle Oct. 2, 1923 1,813,111 Beyer July 7, 1931 2,127,619 Rosenthal Aug. 23, 1938 2,150,474 Williams Mar. 14, 1939 2,271,734 Dunham Feb. 3, 1942 2,414,007 Ziegler Jan. 7, 1947 2,532,965 Thomas Dec. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,292 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1877 574,271 Germany Apr. 11, 1933 

